Mets take 2, lose 1 in Rule 5 draft

Adam Rubin has covered the Mets since 2003. He's a graduate of Mepham High School on Long Island and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He joined ESPNNewYork after spending 10 years at the New York Daily News.
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The Mets selected second baseman Brad Emaus from Toronto and right-hander Pedro Beato from Baltimore and lost right-hander Elvin Ramirez to Washington in the Rule 5 draft.

Emaus, 24, hit a combined .290 with 15 homers and 75 RBIs between Double-A New Hampshire and Triple-A Las Vegas last season.

"He's a second baseman/third baseman," GM Sandy Alderson said. "We're very high on his potential as an everyday player out of the Toronto organization. [Former Jays GM] J.P. [Ricciardi], [and new Mets scouts from Toronto] Roy Smith and Jim D'Aloia, Paul [DePodesta] know him pretty well and felt strongly about him. So we're very pleased that he was there."

Beato, 24, hails from Xaverian High School in Brooklyn and was originally drafted by the Mets in the 17th round of the 2005 draft but was a year removed from Tommy John surgery and did not sign. He went in the first round the following year to the Orioles. Beato went 4-0 with a 2.11 in 43 relief appearances for Double-A Bowie last season. Alderson expects him to compete for a bullpen spot.

"Actually, we were surpised that he was available to us in the second round," the GM said. "A power arm, probably out of the bullpen, and somebody who can compete for an everyday job. So we're happy with that."

Ramirez, 23, spent the bulk of last season at Class A St. Lucie and has walked 163 in 306 2/3 career minor league innings. Still, he has been registering 97 mph in the Dominican winter league and has shown better control.

"He throws hard, has had some command issues in the past, is having a good season so far in the Dominican winter league over 20 innings," Alderson said. "There's always a risk with a Single-A pitcher who doesn't see a lot of higher-level competition but has good stuff. So we'll see where that goes."

A Rule 5 selection costs $50,000 and must remain on the major league roster the entire season in order to become the new team's property. Otherwise, he must clear waivers and then be offered back to his former team for $25,000.

The Mets did not lose any players in the minor league phases of the draft. They selected right-handers Ronny Morla and Ricky Brooks in the Triple-A round and outfielder Quintin Berry in the Double-A round.